Our Book of Life

      This is what happens in my car when they get a hold of my phone un-anttended for even seconds.

Kawea has been performing in the Auckland Boys Chior this year,   and his final concert arrived. It was in a beautiful cathedral in a prominent part of Auckland City. The singing was lovely and acoustics were fantastic. I mentally noted that one good thing about Christmas is that so many people actually acknowledge that there is a Savior Jesus Christ. At the last wind up night for choir Kawea was badged and given his progressional Certificate.   Well done Kawea. Singing final farewell song Receiving Certificate      Final concert in Parnell Cathedral.  Proud Kawea, well done.   

This entry has no photo's but as you read on you will see why. I did however need to be recorded for posterity!!! and to say We survived. Renata had been at school only 2 days, He went to his Last Montessori   Class on a Thursday. Friday morning Came and he began to throw up. Within the next 3 days 5 of my 6 children were down with the nastiest vomiting/diarrhea bug I have ever encountered. Arama was away on business, so I was on my own. This bug has had a reputation in our community, taking no prisoners and not missing any members of the family. Yes that bad. I was grateful Arama was away, but my big boy was due to go on his Pinacle Camp for a week with school on the Monday. I prayed that he would not get it. It was Fast Sunday the Sunday before so we both fasted he would not get sick before or ON his camp. (his first 2 days was a 2 day treck in the bush and the only way out was via rescue helecopter – not an option thanks) Just the thought of him possibly gett

We have been blessed so much in our lives, I would be very ungrateful and undeserving if I did not acknowledge this. This blessing came when we won a huge pile of the lovely white stones for our gardens. It was about 2 tonnes worth and the lady wouldn’t even take the $1 from us that we won it for (trade me). I did give her something for her little girl though as a thank you.   It took us 2 trailer loads – Big trailer loads to get it home. It   covered the area next to the path perfectly and looks so awesome. It was great to see our family working together to unload. Even Rakai managed to find a small shovel from somewhere and insisted on helping shovel it out of the trailer.   They are not the best photo's but they catch the moment so well.             

They are just leaving soo quickly… Renata turned 5 on the 2 nd of December. He was really excited to leave his old school behind (Montessori) and go to BIG school. He was so fast on the bus the first morning I didn’t even get a chance to take a photo!! His teacher’s name is Mrs Knocker. She has been the new entrants teacher for as long as I can remember. Hikawera had her before Renata.   He loved it and his teacher was impressed with him. Thank you Montessori and well done Renata. Only one musketeer left at home now…..                                    

I am often amazed at the timing we have, if either for sales or for things to happen in places we are. This day Nauvoo and I had just walked into a store where they announced that Valarie Adams – the Gold medalist Shot Put Athlete – was going to be in store shortly to sign her book. Nauvoo snapped up the opportunity to take a photo.

         I have been really fortunate to be able to take Rakai to work with me on the days that he is not in daycare and I need to be in the office. You would think being in an office with a tonne of toys literally around you that it would be like a child in a candy store. Rakai was always so good. He had a couple of toys to keep him happy, or the movies but if he needed to burn off some energy he would just jump on this treadmill exercise bike thingy and go running for a while.. he was so cute, I couldn’t resist taking a photo of this one..

 It was (Arama’s)Mums birthday in November. Jacque (arama's sister) thought it would be a good Idea to go and do some tidy up at her grave. So jacque’s family began the project and we finished it. The concreting around her stone was painted white. Two coats. Everyone that was with us had a turn at painting and such. It was a good family activity and it reminded us of the wonderful times we had with mum while she was alive.  Arama  rakaipaka Renata John Kawea, Mum, Dad and Arama Hikawera Nauvoo entertaining the boys between 'turns' My beautiful baby girl. She did paint but I like this photo better. The finished product!

For the first time that I can remember in my married life I finally decided to have a little Time out. My mum offered for me to go to her place in Perth and spend some time there. Now who doesn't like to go and see their momma's ! I haven't been to perth, so it was a great opportunity. As preparations were made, things seemed to fall in place which was great. We planned it over NZ's Labour weekend so that Arama could take care of the kids. It turned out he took the kids for a road trip to Hastings for his Dad's birthday and were able to catch up with cousins they hadn't seen for a long time. You really get to appreciate how big Australia is when you have to travel 10 hours to get from New Zealand to Perth. Perth was a lovely hot place. Dry in places but the Australia kind of beautiful. From the moment I arrived I was spoilt. Steward is such Old School Gentleman. The kind you would hope that your sons would learn and use. I loved watching him dote on mum. It